로그인When a living person begins to long for death, it is no longer a careless statement. It is the quiet confession of someone who has exhausted hope.There were nights when Mrs. Ajayi lay awake and wondered how anyone could wish to stop existing. How could someone want to leave the air, the light, the sound of life itself?Now she understood.In her case, death felt kinder than living with Mr. Ajayi.When her husband had come back months ago, he changed overnight. Or at least, that was what she believed. He became attentive. Soft-spoken. Helpful. He apologized for past cruelties and claimed that a colleague’s advice had “touched his heart.” He promised to become a better man.She had not trusted it fully—but she had allowed herself to breathe again.Then one evening, he sat across from her and said calmly, “You will start footing the bills.”That was when the mask slipped.The transformation was subtle at first. The sarcasm returned. Then the insults. Then the cold silence. His laughter
Bella woke with a heaviness in her limbs, the kind that clung to her even after sleep. The first thing she did was reach for her phone.No missed calls from Mariam.No messages.She frowned.Why hasn’t she returned my calls? That’s strange. Is she even fine?Throughout the holiday, Mariam hadn’t visited. She hadn’t called. She hadn’t even sent a casual hi. That was unlike her. No matter how busy she was, Mariam always returned Bella’s calls.Bella sighed and sat up.“These holidays sef,” she muttered to her reflection. “If you’re in school, the term crawls. But once it’s holiday, time flies.”She had spent the first week visiting her father’s friend in another city. Now the second week—the final stretch before school resumed—was almost gone.“I talk too much,” she told the mirror, smiling faintly.Talking to herself always helped. It gave her space to express every thought without interruption.She headed to the bathroom but paused long enough to send a message.I’m coming to your pla
It was the seventh day of Bella’s first week visiting Mr. Onijikan at his house. He smiled as he fastened his belt, his dark eyes glinting with a mix of mischief and satisfaction.“Bella,” he said, his voice low and deliberate, “you’ve been so sweet. I truly enjoyed your company. I hope you enjoyed yourself too.”“Yes…” Bella whispered, though a pang of pain shot through her. Deep inside, she knew he had been rougher than she expected—pounding her with a force that left her both shocked and strangely shaken. She had never imagined a man could be so intense.He leaned back, a teasing smile playing on his lips. “It’s already been a week. Tell me honestly—do you want to continue this… arrangement? Or shall I give you what you asked for and we go our separate ways?”Bella’s chest tightened. She looked at him, her heart a swirl of hurt and curiosity. “Why… why have you been so hard on me? Are you trying to push me away?”He chuckled, a low, dangerous laugh that sent shivers down her spine.
Mr. Ajayi woke up unusually early that morning.For a few quiet seconds, he simply lay there, staring at his wife as she slept beside him. The morning light rested gently on her face, softening her features. She looked peaceful… younger… almost fragile.He smiled to himself.Why didn’t I see this beautiful woman all these years? he wondered. Why did I treat her so badly?A wave of regret washed over him.At least it hasn’t gotten worse than it already did, he thought. It’s not easy for her to forgive me. I know that.He slipped quietly out of bed.Let me make breakfast for my wife.The thought alone made him grin.In the kitchen, he moved with surprising excitement. Oil sizzled in the frying pan. He sliced plantains carefully and dropped them into hot oil. The aroma of dodo filled the house. He whisked eggs, humming softly to himself, even dancing a little as he cooked.Anyone watching would have wondered if this calm, cheerful man had ever existed inside Mr. Ajayi.Upstairs, Mrs. Aja
Mariam had never known happiness like this.Since the holidays began, Samuel’s visits had filled her days with warmth, laughter, and a kind of love she once only imagined in movies. Every memory they created felt like something sacred—something she wanted to bottle up and keep forever.That Friday morning, she woke up with unusual excitement. Samuel was coming over.She cleaned the house again, even though it was already spotless. She dusted the shelves, rearranged the cushions, mopped the floor twice, and sprayed her favorite air freshener until the room smelled sweet and inviting. She wanted everything to be perfect.So perfect that she completely forgot it was Friday.The weekend.The weekend she had promised her parents she would always come home.Her phone rang.She froze.“Mummy” flashed across the screen.She inhaled and answered.“Hi, my daughter.”“Hi, Mummy,” she replied, forcing cheerfulness into her voice.“We are expecting you today. It’s already the weekend.”Her heart s
Moturanyo arrived at Mrs. Ajayi’s gate without warning, knocking hard—too hard for a friendly visit.Inside the house, Gbemisola Ajayi cursed under her breath as she rushed out.“Ah ah, that useless man has come back again. Na wa.”She flung the gate open.And froze.Moturanyo stood there, eyes unreadable.For a second, relief flashed across Gbemisola’s face.“Ah! Moturanyo? You remembered me today? I thought you had left the country.”Moturanyo smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes.“You have mouth to talk. After our last visit, you disappeared. No call. No message. But once it’s gist or trouble, you remember me.”“Ahn ahn, my friend, don’t start,” Gbemisola said quickly. “Life has just been—”“Busy,” Moturanyo finished. “Life is always busy when you don’t need someone.”She glanced past the gate.“That your wicked husband—he’s not around, right? Because I didn’t come here to add beating to my problem.”Gbemisola forced a laugh.“He’s not around. He went out. Come in.”Moturanyo hesit
Mariam are you back, yes mummy I am back, what about bella your friend, mum she is fine oh, but her car was not here today, hope all is well, she had somewhere to be which was not in my direction at all, okay oh I hope you guys are not fighting because that girl is kind, mum we are not fighting, ok
Bella where are you, Mariam called out, she has been walking for 1 hour and still could not find Samuel and bella, as she go towards the school gate wanting to head home by herself, she saw them, Samuel and bella where did you go to, oh I took bella out she said she needed to change her wardrobe, b
After class, Bella cornered Mariam near the water tank.“Mariam, why didn’t you let me pick you up this morning?”Mariam looked startled. “Bella, don’t be angry. I had to get something for my mum and drop it at her shop. You know it’s closer to school.”“But your mum doesn’t open early,” Bella pres
Mariam stepped out of her compound, adjusting the buttons on her school uniform with shaky fingers. Her eyes lifted and froze.Parked directly in front of her gate was Samuel’s black car.Her heart skipped.The window rolled down slowly, revealing his familiar smirk. “Hi, Mariam.”She blinked. “Ah…







